Story perspectives

PG&E and SCE Cut Power to 150,000 Amid Red Flag

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 4:40 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

PG&E and Southern California Edison cut power to 150,000 customers during Santa Ana winds.
The Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Southern California Edison considered shutoffs for roughly 224,500 customers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Bryson Fire burned about 200 acres in Malibu, prompting evacuations of Encinal Canyon and a detention facility.

History

Historical Context

On November 8 2018 a faulty PG & E transmission line ignited the Camp Fire, killing 85 people, destroying 18,800 structures and causing $16.5 billion in damage. The CPUC mandated public-safety shutoffs for high-risk lines. Recently PG & E and Southern California Edison again cut power to over 150,000 customers during Red-Flag warnings, following that preventive policy.

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Story summary

PG&E and Southern California Edison cut power to 150,000 customers during Santa Ana winds.
The Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Southern California Edison considered shutoffs for roughly 224,500 customers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Bryson Fire burned about 200 acres in Malibu, prompting evacuations of Encinal Canyon and a detention facility.

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